
Zinc element (Zn) is in group 12 and period 4 of a periodic table. Zinc is in the d-block and it is classified as a post-transition element on the periodic table.
There is a lot more information related to zinc which is mentioned in the Information Table given below.
So let’s dive right into it!
Table of contents
- Zinc element (Information Table)
- Zinc element in Periodic table
- Facts about Zinc
- Properties of Zinc
- Uses of Zinc
Zinc Element (Information Table)
The important data related to zinc element is given in the table below.
Appearance of zinc | Silvery gray |
Atomic number of zinc | 30 |
Symbol of zinc | Zn |
Atomic mass of zinc | 65.38 u |
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in zinc | Protons: 30, Neutrons: 35, Electrons: 30 |
State of zinc (at STP) | Solid |
Group number of zinc in periodic table | 12 |
Period number of zinc in periodic table | 4 |
Block of zinc in periodic table | d-block |
Category of zinc | Post transition metal |
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in zinc | 2, 8, 18, 2 |
Electron configuration of zinc | [Ar] 3d10 4s2 |
Orbital diagram of zinc | ![]() |
Electronegativity of zinc (on pauling scale) | 1.65 |
Atomic radius of zinc (van der Waals radius) | 139 picometers |
Density of zinc | 7.14 g/cm3 |
1st ionization energy of zinc | 9.394 eV |
Main isotope of zinc | 64Zn |
Melting point of zinc | 692.6 K or 419.5 °C or 787.15 °F |
Boiling point of zinc | 1180 K or 907 °C or 1665 °F |
Crystal structure of zinc | Hexagonal Close Packing (HCP) |
Also see: Interactive Periodic Table (It has rotating bohr models as well as many other details of all the 118 elements in a single periodic table).
Zinc element in Periodic table
The Zinc element (Zn) has the atomic number 30 and is located in group 12 and period 4. Zinc is a metal and it is classified as a post-transition element.
H | He | ||||||||||||||||
Li | Be | B | C | N | O | F | Ne | ||||||||||
Na | Mg | Al | Si | P | S | Cl | Ar | ||||||||||
K | Ca | Sc | Ti | V | Cr | Mn | Fe | Co | Ni | Cu | Zn | Ga | Ge | As | Se | Br | Kr |
Rb | Sr | Y | Zr | Nb | Mo | Tc | Ru | Rh | Pd | Ag | Cd | In | Sn | Sb | Te | I | Xe |
Cs | Ba | La* | Hf | Ta | W | Re | Os | Ir | Pt | Au | Hg | Tl | Pb | Bi | Po | At | Rn |
Fr | Ra | Ac** | Rf | Db | Sg | Bh | Hs | Mt | Ds | Rg | Cn | Nh | Fl | Mc | Lv | Ts | Og |
*Ce | Pr | Nd | Pm | Sm | Eu | Gd | Tb | Dy | Ho | Er | Tm | Yb | Lu | ||||
**Th | Pa | U | Np | Pu | Am | Cm | Bk | Cf | Es | Fm | Md | No | Lr |
Facts about zinc
Here are a few interesting facts about zinc element.
- Zinc was given its name from the Greek word “zinke” (zinke means pointed).
- After iron, zinc is the 2nd most abundant trace metal present in the human body after iron.
- Zinc is the 4th common metal used in metallurgy industries. (The 1st is iron, 2nd is aluminum and 3rd is copper).
- Zinc is the 24th most abundant element present in the earth’s crust.
- Around 17% of the total zinc production is used in alloys like brass and bronze.
- 50% of the total zinc production is used in galvanization of iron.
- Zinc can be recycled easily and today 30% of the total zinc is recycled.
- Zinc is obtained in large quantities from its ore Zinc Sulfide.
Properties of zinc
Here is a list of some physical properties and chemical properties of zinc.
Physical properties of zinc
- Zinc is a solid metal having a silvery-gray appearance.
- Zinc is hard but it is malleable at temperatures higher than 100 °C.
- The atomic mass of zinc is 65.38 u and its density is 7.14 g/cm3.
- There are many isotopes of zinc, but out of these isotopes, the most abundant isotope is 64Zn and its abundance is around 49%.
- The melting point and boiling point of zinc is 692.6 K and 1180 K.
Chemical properties of zinc
- Zinc is not much reactive metal and it is a strong reducing agent.
- Zinc can react with both acids as well as alkalis.
- The electronic configuration of zinc is [Ar] 3d10 4s2 and it has completely filled d-orbitals.
- The thin layer of zinc oxide is formed on the zinc metal when zinc is kept open in the air.
- The salts of zinc burn with a bluish-green flame.
Uses of zinc
Here are some uses of the zinc element.
- Most of the zinc is used in Galvanization of iron.
- Zinc is also required for proper functioning of the human body.
- Zinc is also used as an alloying element with other metals to get the improved properties.
- Electric batteries also contain zinc.
- Zinc is also present in sunscreens, paints, etc.
Article by;